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“Part of me hates Joseph and never wants to see him again, but the other half is so damn grateful they came to get me today.”
Francesca leads me over to the couch and sits next to me. “You know I’ll never make excuses for my brother, but he was hurt and thought you betrayed us. He doesn’t like talking about his feelings, but I know he’s hurt after what our mother did. He was scared you were like her.”
“I guess I can understand that, but he wouldn’t let me explain.”
“He shuts people out and never lets them get close. It was easier for him to push you away instead of listening to reason.”
She picks a slice of pepperoni off my pizza and pops it into her mouth before continuing.
“Not that it’s an excuse, but these men that we are in love with are completely irrational and protective. Rhett killed my ex boyfriend Jax and part of me thinks he did it because he was jealous. Jax also tried to kill me and he kidnapped me, so Rhett was protecting me in his eyes.”
“And Jax tricked you and lied about his true identity.”
“Yeah, there’s that, too.”
I sigh and pick up my pizza. “This is exactly what I need. Comfort food in my apartment with the girls.”
“Here, here.” Savannah says.
“So, Savannah, how’s school going?” I ask, hoping to get the conversation off me and Joseph.
She smiles. “It’s almost over. I’m so close to graduating, but I’m still unsure about the future.”
Francesca asks, “Are you leaning toward opening your own business or working for an already established designer?”
She glances down at her plate. “I’m not sure. Spencer wants me to open my own boutique, where I can sell my own custom designs, but working for a designer is cheaper.”
As someone who wasn’t born into money, I can understand her hesitation. The start up cost is intimidating. “Putting the cost aside, what do you want more?”
She whispers, “My own boutique.”
“Then Francesca and I will help make that dream come true.”
Francesca’s face lights up. “Hell yeah, we will. And I demand a Savannah Whitlock original as my wedding dress.”
Savannah blushes. “I would love to do that for you. How are things progressing with the wedding and all that?”
Francesca grins. “We are still trying for a baby. I feel like this could be our lucky month.”
I suck a breath in through my teeth. “I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but while I was kidnapped, Giuseppe told me how Jax confirmed you are infertile. I just can’t stand the thought of you getting your hopes up just for every test to come back negative.”
Savannah gasps and presses her hand against her mouth.
Francesca looks confused.
I try to explain. “Giuseppe told me Jax told him you said you were infertile.”
She leans her head back and laughs.
“Jax kept going on and on about kids, and I sure as fuck didn’t want any, so I lied and said I was infertile because of an accident I had as a teenager. He believed me and never brought it up again.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, that’s a relief.”
“Wow, I can’t believe he told his father that.”
Savannah nods and chimes in. “Well, they were and still are trying to tear down your family. I wonder if Giuseppe was one of the casualties this morning.”
“That’s a good question.”